Louisiana

There’s no money to reopen Highway 90 linking LA and MS. More elected officials urge action.

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

There’s no money to reopen Highway 90 linking LA and MS. More elected officials urge action.

Another group of St. Tammany Parish elected officials have joined in the push to speed the reopening of a stretch of U.S. 90 at the Louisiana-Mississippi state line.

Commonly known as Highway 90, it runs across south Louisiana but has been closed near the border with Mississippi since 2022 because of the bad condition of a series of bridges that cross various legs of the Pearl River.

The St. Tammany Parish Council recently passed a resolution urging the state Department of Transportation and Development to move quickly to replace the bridges and reopen the stretch of highway. It also asks state and federal authorities to designate Highway 90 as an “auxiliary hurricane evacuation route.”

The state highway department closed it after inspectors said the bridges, which date to the early 1930s, were structurally unsound and unsafe for vehicles.

The highway department has said it plans to replace the bridges, but doesn’t have a timeline. Money, of course, is the big issue: The highway department says replacing all the bridges could cost upwards of $350 million.

The West Pearl River bridge on U.S. 90, that connects Louisiana and Mississippi, has been closed for more than a year.

STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD

The Parish Council’s resolution, adopted at the council’s September meeting, follows similar urgings by the northshore’s legislative delegation. Area elected officials have pointed out that Highway 90 is an especially important alternative east-west roadway when wrecks snarl the nearby Interstate 10 and that it is also a vital route during hurricane season.

“Right now there’s just not any money available,” DOTD spokesperson Daniel Gitlin said.

Gitlin said DOTD understands the project is important and is working to expedite the design, but that at some point money will have to be allocated for it.

“We are fully engaged and cooperating. We’re open to any conversations,” he added.

In August, DOTD put out a notice seeking possible takers for the old bridges. Since they are in the state’s Historic Bridge Inventory, there is federal money available for companies or agencies that will commit to removing the bridges and finding a new use for them.

The St. Tammany Council’s resolution, sponsored by Council members David Cougle, Pat Burke and Jeff Corbin, notes that the council has no authority over DOTD but adds that it does speak for the people of St. Tammany.

The resolution was adopted in a 13-0 vote.

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Louisiana

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

Published

5 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

(KMDL-FM) You might not have realized it, but you’re on a roller coaster. No, not the kind of roller coaster you look forward to riding, but the kind of roller coaster only Mother Nature can devise in the form of Louisiana’s annual up and down weather conditions, also known as spring.

READ MORE: Louisiana Parishes That Have the Most Tornadoes

Much of Louisiana was affected by strong storms with heavy rains and gusty winds during the day on Saturday and extending into Sunday morning. By later afternoon yesterday, conditions had improved, and it looked as though the work and school week would be off to a much calmer start.

Heavy Rain Possible in Louisiana To Start the Work Week

The start of the work and school day will be much calmer; however, the ride home on this first day of “extra sunlight” thanks to Daylight Saving Time will include a decent chance of showers and storms. Oh, and there are already reports of thick fog.

So, after a foggy start this morning, you could be picking up kids from school or driving yourself home from work in a torrential downpour. And you’ll get to do all of this while you’re mentally addled from the twice-a-year time change.

Rain chances are listed at 50% for this afternoon, but they do taper off quickly after the sun goes down. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a slight risk of an excessive rain event for portions of Louisiana later today. The area of concern is generally along and well north of US 190.

When Is The Next Threat of Severe Storms in Louisiana?

Tuesday should be a cloudy but breezy and warm day. Then on Wednesday, the rain chances and the next threat of severe storms will move into Louisiana.

weather.gov/lch

The Storm Prediction Center outlook for Wednesday’s severe weather potential suggests that the northern and central sections of the state might be more at risk for stronger storms than the I-10 corridor might be.

READ MORE: Who Is Appearing at Patty in the Parc in Lafayette?

We will know more about that potential later this morning when the SPC updates its forecast. The outlook for the remainder of the week, including the Patty in the Parc Weekend event in Downtown Lafayette, looks to be spectacular.

Patty in the Parc Entertainment 2011-2025

Gallery Credit: Dave Steel

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Louisiana

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

Published

17 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

RICHLAND — Tech companies could receive significant tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground in the state.

According to a report by The Advocate, Meta officials told state officials in 2024 that they would need significant tax breaks while negotiating the $27 billion data center project currently being built in North Louisiana.

Based on projections of Louisiana’s tax exemptions and the expected expenditures of the companies, state and local governments could potentially give billions in tax breaks to the tech giants.

Several states, including Louisiana, have seen backlash to data centers as residents worry about potential rising electric costs and strain on water systems.

Virginia is currently debating whether or not to repeal tax exemptions for the tech companies, as it has cost state and local governments in Virginia $1.9 billion in 2024 alone.

The tax break exempts data centers from state and local taxes for multiple things data centers require, including servers, chillers, electric infrastructure and construction costs.

The scale of the data center projects, which include tens of billions in spending, coupled with Louisiana’s sales tax of 10%, means tax breaks could be worth huge amounts.

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Louisiana

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

Gov. Jeff Landry speaks at an event Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, La., held to announce that Amazon plans to build data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. He is joined by Roger Wehner, left, vice president of Economic Development for Amazon, and Matt Vanderzanden, CEO of STACK Infrastructure.

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